Through her, I went on to meet her long term partner Matteo Ceccarini, who like Eva has a “non speaking role” in the fashion business but is equaly as englightened and successful. Matteo is arguably the most famous sound engineer (or DJ, as you may prefer to call them) in Milan.

Over the years Matteo managed to turn what was his main hobby into a thriving business. Building rock soild long-term relationships with some of the world’s most famous designers. Relationships based on mutual respect and trust, a thing, which is easier said than done in a world as temperamental and fickle as fashion. One of his most successful collaborations to date has been with the designer Giorgio Armani, for whom he not only produces the music for all his catwalk shows, but additionally with Giorgio himself, they have collaborated and released a series of CDs, which are sold exclusively through Armani retail spaces. Their latest CD has sold over 60 000 units.

Matteo Ceccarini together with Giorgio Armani

Matteo & Eva At Home

Do you like those parties that come with the red carpet out front?

For me it's just work. I don’t like the vanity that surrounds those events – people-watching and being “seen”. My idea of fun is being away from the crowds and near nature, such as spending time in Tuscany

Do you have friends within your professional industries?

Yes

And what has been a career highlight for you?

Meeting Eva at the Life Ball in Vienna, if it was not for our careers, we would not have both been there

Matteo, how did you get into the music business?

I used always listened to music because it effects me emotionally. Now I have to listen to music the whole day, because my hobby has become my job. Its been a way of life for me for so long, I can’t see myself doing anything else.

The skill of this work is to have an encyclopedic knowledge of music, but today there are some very useful tools to help people such as iTunes, as it is a great way of listening to new pieces quickly, I am able to understand a complete tune in just a few bars, amd I always use the option “similar to……” which helps me move into new areas and lets me diverge and go on new musical journeys.

Matteo, What is your starting point when it comes to collaborating with a designer.

For the catwalk music I start with a clean slate. The first step is to speak to the designer, and look at his sketches and listen to his words. Then I will send him 4 songs. It is as simple as that.The Studio
Where the magic happens

Once I have produced the music line up, and I have sent it in, it is almost impossible that there will be any changes. My ethos is that “I know what you need musically, I am the expert and not visa versa” – my clients need to let go and trust in me, and they all do. My work is like that of a fashion designer. If you ask for a Pucci dress, that is what you get, you don’t then go back and say you were thinking of something different